I’ve been a fan of Wes Anderson’s since Bottle Rocket, his first film. It was small, simple (simple for Wes Anderson) and quirky, but you’d expect that. Over the years his films have become bigger in ways while still maintaining a ‘small film’ feel. (Disclaimer, I’ve seen all of his films except for Moonrise Kingdom, just haven’t gotten around to watching it yet).
We took in The Grand Budapest Hotel on opening day, a rare feat in the world of having a toddler. We found ourselves drawn to the imagery, pulled along by the story, never confused. But after we walked out into the afternoon sunlight we looked at each other and said at the same time ‘not as good as Tenenbaums.’
And there you have it. Every director has a film they’ll never direct better. Every band has an album they’ll never record better. Every author has a book they’ll never write better.
Wes Anderson has Royal Tenenbaums.
Quentin Tarantino has Pulp Fiction.
Fleetwood Mac has Rumors.
Barbara Kingsolver has The Bean Trees.
But at least they keep trying.
I do recommend Grand Budapest, if you like Anderson’s quirk and circumstance. Ralph Feinnes puts in an incredible performance and the cast is chock o’ block of Anderson regulars and some new faces.